OK kids, I just did something that proved to be very dangerous to my mental health, so I implore you to take precautions before you attempt to try this at home.
So here is what I did: I calculated the total amount of money that I have sent to Brighthouse on my current account. And let me tell you, it was a much larger number than I anticipated. I have had a continuous account with Brighthouse (and Time Warner before them) for 7 ½ years (or 90 monthly statements). During that time I have had high-speed internet service and digital cable. I have also had DVR service, high-definition service, and various premium channel packages. I determined that my average monthly statement over that time period has been $110.00. This dollar amount multiplied by 90 statements comes to a total of $9,900.00! But how 'bout we just call it 10 THOUSAND Dollars!!
Now, when you look at it this way, you suddenly realize just how expensive cable and internet service can be. I could not imagine doing without either of these services, and yet when I think about how much I have spent on it in the last 7 ½ years, it makes me wonder what I have been getting for the money!
Two weeks from tonight there will be a crossroads of sorts between myself, Brighthouse Networks, and a certain important past time of mine. I will either be able to watch the Magic’s opening night game in the comfort of my own home or I will be stuck listening to it on the radio, trying to imagine what Dwight Howard’s last dunk must have looked like.
You all know the issues involved between the Magic, Fox Sports Network, and Brighthouse Networks. I won’t waste time rehashing them here and we can all just agree that all parties probably could have handled this situation a bit better. But when I consider that Brighthouse Networks is the only party involved whom I have given 10 THOUSAND Dollars too, you can be pretty certain of whom I will be directing my considerable ire toward if I should turn on my TV in two weeks and not be able to see the Magic men bringing the pain down on Milwaukee!
Two weeks guys! Let's get this done with time to spare!
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 8092 | Location: Catching up with the OCTB. | Registered: February 09, 2006
I'm there with you, their product isn't that great that I am going to just keep taking kicks in the rear end. I want to see my games!
"So who would win in a fight: Darko Fanatics, Arroyo Maniacs, Hedo Worshipers, or JJ Lovers? Answer? Gortat. Bring on your armies, the Warlock is prepared. And by prepared, I mean in existence."-TheRevTy
Posts: 9505 | Location: Trying to figure out why the Fan Voice Blog gets 10 views and JJ/Carlos/Jameer/SVG sucks threads get a million views | Registered: February 15, 2006
That's another $10 g's from me to BrightHouse over the same period! I called Brighthoue and FSN to complain. Below are there responses. They are just bickering and we get the raw end of the deal. I wonder if the Magic are ultimately to blame for taking the games off of UPN and trying to make more money with FSN. Bottom line, I get to miss half the games this season unless I switch to satellite. $%#@&^!
BrightHouse response: We have televised all the Magic games produced for TV since 1989, including those on WRBW UPN 65. It is important to note that the regular season games on WRBW UPN 65 were carried by Bright House Networks as free television from a local network affiliate, but were removed this NBA season as a result of an agreement between the Magic and FOX Sports Net (FSN), a network we do not carry. Bright House Networks will still televise more than half of the Magic’s 82 regular-season games on Sun Sports, ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV. Our customers will enjoy more than 270 live NBA regular-season games, the NBA playoffs and finals in addition to countless hours of NBA-related programming on Bright House Networks.
FSN response: Unfortunately we don't have an agreement with Bright House in Central Florida and don't expect to anytime soon. In every city in this state (and country for that matter), coverage of local teams is on the expanded basic line-up. We don't feel the residents of Central Florida should be treated any differently. And virtually every other cable and satellite company in Florida (over 5 million homes all across the state) has an agreement to offer both FSN Florida and Sun Sports, and they do so on expanded basic, so we believe Orlando area residents should have the same opportunity. That said, please know we are working with Bright House to provide opportunities to address the concerns they have ... we just need them to engage with us on meaningful conversations toward that end.
Posts: 2 | Location: East of the Bridge...smile... | Registered: November 01, 2007
Originally posted by jamaro: That's another $10 g's from me to BrightHouse over the same period! I called Brighthoue and FSN to complain. Below are there responses. They are just bickering and we get the raw end of the deal. I wonder if the Magic are ultimately to blame for taking the games off of UPN and trying to make more money with FSN. Bottom line, I get to miss half the games this season unless I switch to satellite. $%#@&^!
BrightHouse response: We have televised all the Magic games produced for TV since 1989, including those on WRBW UPN 65. It is important to note that the regular season games on WRBW UPN 65 were carried by Bright House Networks as free television from a local network affiliate, but were removed this NBA season as a result of an agreement between the Magic and FOX Sports Net (FSN), a network we do not carry. Bright House Networks will still televise more than half of the Magic’s 82 regular-season games on Sun Sports, ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV. Our customers will enjoy more than 270 live NBA regular-season games, the NBA playoffs and finals in addition to countless hours of NBA-related programming on Bright House Networks.
FSN response: Unfortunately we don't have an agreement with Bright House in Central Florida and don't expect to anytime soon. In every city in this state (and country for that matter), coverage of local teams is on the expanded basic line-up. We don't feel the residents of Central Florida should be treated any differently. And virtually every other cable and satellite company in Florida (over 5 million homes all across the state) has an agreement to offer both FSN Florida and Sun Sports, and they do so on expanded basic, so we believe Orlando area residents should have the same opportunity. That said, please know we are working with Bright House to provide opportunities to address the concerns they have ... we just need them to engage with us on meaningful conversations toward that end.
Thank you Orlando Magic for really forcing these 2 companies to be so far apart.
You obvious took the money and run. I believe you dont care for the fans at all. If you did care about us. I would be watched that game on TV last night.
I live in an apartment in daytona beach, and i have to have bright house. I not too happy come to find out that half of the magic games especially the first couple wont be on my tv. I am very upset about this. Every single magic fan needs to go to bright house to request FSN or the magic should go to back to ch. 65. Im very dissappointed with the magic and bright house. the magic are still my number one team but this is messed up.
Don't feel bad--we haven't seen a game yet in Ocala with Cox Cable. We are extremely disappointed. We have never been part-time fans--just don't know how to do that. If it can't be fixed, we'll have to give it up and mourn the loss, then move on. I can't imagine giving up the games--we don't watch other tV.
It is a disgrace the almighty dollar wins with abosolutely no regard for the fans. I pay Bright House $100 a month for my cable and internet. Sunshine did a great job in the past showing the Magic games. The deal with FSN is nothing but pure greed. I realize no one who can do anything about it will read this, but I feel better letting the Magic know I am a half or possibly no fan at all.
orlandomagiczone.com 
